Longtime Angels MiLB manager Kotchman resigns

Tom Kotchman, a longtime Minor League manager and scout with the Angels, has stepped down from the organization, multiple sources confirmed on Saturday.

Kotchman -- father of Casey Kotchman, the Indians first baseman who was the Angels' first-round Draft pick in 2001 -- has been with the Angels since 1984, and has managed the Class A Orem Owlz for the past eight years.

Kotchman, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said, resigned because his role was being split into two positions -- as a scout and a manager. Kotchman told the Los Angeles Times, however, that he was not forced out by the Angels.

"It's been 29 years," Kotchman said. "At some point, it's your time."

Kotchman has spent 34 seasons as a Minor League manager, with five of those years coming in the Red Sox and Tigers organizations. He has compiled 1,704 wins and a .543 winning percentage.

He began scouting in 1990 and signed more than a dozen eventual Major Leaguers, including Howie Kendrick and Nick Maronde of the Angels, Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks and Jeff Mathis and Bobby Wilson, currently with the Blue Jays. Kotchman also helped develop the likes of Garret Anderson, Troy Percival and Erick Aybar as a manager in the Northwest League.